WORKING in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, Stagecoach West Scotland have designed a new journey assistance card designed to help customers living with dementia travel by bus.

The cards allow customers to discreetly communicate a specific message to their driver and for the driver to notify them of their bus stop as well as emergency contact information.

Stagecoach journey assistance cards will be made available directly from Stagecoach or from your local Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Resource Centre.

There are over 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland and it is estimated that 20,000 people will be diagnosed with the condition every year by 2020. If you have any questions about dementia, or the support available in your area, call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Hour Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit the website at www.

alzscot.org Stagecoach offers a wide variety of journey assistance cards that have been developed with trade body, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

Anne McWhinnie, Dementia Friends Programme Manager, added: “We are thrilled that Stagecoach have demonstrated their commitment to making transport for people living with dementia more accessible by becoming Dementia Friends.

“The new journey assistance cards go the extra mile to give a clear and yet discreet message to drivers that a passenger might need some extra assistance and understanding. This is another crucial step towards building a Dementia Friendly Scotland.”